John Herring

John Herring (died January 1776) was a Continental Army soldier who was executed by hanging for theft in January 1776.

Biography
John Herring enlisted in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War, serving under George Washington during the New Jersey campaign. In January 1776, he broke into the house of Mr. Prince Howland and robbed him of several spoons, silver dollars, and wearing apparel, and he was sentenced to suffer death to set an example to deter the boldest and most hardened offenders. He was hanged before the eyes of Washington, General Charles Scott, and Captain Benjamin Tallmadge before they met to discuss the formation of a spy network in New York.